Rotisserie Air Fryer: A Multitasking Marvel?

Air fryers with a rotisserie function offer a unique cooking experience, allowing you to roast meat with a rotating spit that suspends the food and ensures even exposure to heating elements. This results in uniform cooking and a browned exterior, while the suspended roasting method allows juices to drip away, making it a healthier option. You can cook a range of foods in an air fryer with a rotisserie function, including whole chicken, pork roast, whole peppers, and pineapples. When shopping for an air fryer with a rotisserie function, you can choose between a standalone air fryer oven and an air fryer toaster oven, with the former being ideal for foods that benefit from cooking in a single layer. Some popular options include the Instant Vortex Plus and the Cosori Air Fryer Toaster Oven Combo.

Air fryer toaster ovens with rotisserie functions

When shopping for an air fryer toaster oven with a rotisserie function, here are some things to consider:

• Size and capacity: Determine how much room you want the appliance to occupy on your countertop. If you have a small household, a compact model might be sufficient. However, if you cook for a large family or entertain often, opt for a larger capacity model.
• Functions and presets: Air fryer toaster ovens can offer anywhere from four to thirteen different functions. Consider which functions are most important to you, such as toast, air fry, bake, rotisserie, dehydrate, or slow cook. Some models come with preset options for specific foods like cookies, bagels, or pizza.
• Ease of use: Digital controls generally offer more precise temperature and time control, while manual controls may be sufficient if you only plan to toast or air fry occasionally.
• Accessories: Some air fryer toaster ovens come with various accessories, such as air fry baskets, baking pans, broiling racks, rotisserie spits, and dehydrating racks. Consider which accessories you will need based on the types of food you plan to cook.
• Price: Air fryer toaster ovens with rotisserie functions can vary in price, so set a budget that works for you. Keep in mind that more expensive models may offer additional features and accessories.
• Instant Vortex Plus: This 10-quart air fryer oven comes with rotisserie attachments and is known for its ease of use. It includes a lot of accessories and performs well in air-frying and roasting. However, its strong fan and heating elements may be too powerful for delicate foods.
• COSORI Air Fryer Toaster Oven Combo: This 32-quart air fryer toaster oven includes a rotisserie spit and performs multiple functions, including air frying, baking, broiling, toasting, and dehydrating. It comes with a large window and rack level markings for convenience. While it may take longer than expected to air fry certain foods, it offers a lot of features for its price.
• Emeril Lagasse 360 Stainless Steel Air Fryer: This 26-quart air fryer toaster oven offers 12 preset cooking functions, including rotisserie, bake, broil, pizza, and slow cook. It has a sleek stainless steel design and is known for its quick cooking capabilities.
• Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro: With 13 preset functions, this air fryer toaster oven serves as a versatile second oven. It has a digital interface and includes various accessories, such as a pizza tray, wire rack, roasting pan, and air fry basket. While it may be too large for some kitchens, it offers excellent performance and precision in cooking.
• Kalorik MAXX 26-qt Digital Air Fryer Toaster Oven: This model is ideal for making rotisserie chicken. It has a manual interface with eight cooking functions, including air fry, broil, bake, toast, and rotisserie. It comes with rotisserie accessories and provides detailed use and care instructions.

The benefits of cooking rotisserie chicken in an air fryer

Air fryers with a rotisserie function offer a unique cooking experience compared to traditional ovens or standard toaster ovens. Here are some benefits of cooking rotisserie chicken in an air fryer:

Even Cooking and Browning

The rotisserie's rotating spit ensures that the chicken is evenly exposed to the heating elements, resulting in uniform cooking and a beautifully browned exterior.

Healthier Option

The suspended roasting method allows juices to drip away, so your chicken doesn't sit in excess fats and oils, making it a healthier cooking option.

Quick and Easy

Air frying is the fastest way to cook a whole chicken, with a cooking time of about 50 minutes, depending on the size of the bird. There's no need to wait for the oven to preheat, and the prep time is minimal, with no brining or marinating required.

Moist and Delicious

Air fryer rotisserie chicken is known for being very moist, perfectly seasoned, and easy to make. The hot air circulation ensures the chicken stays moist and juicy on the inside, while the outside gets crispy and golden brown.

Versatile and Convenient

Air fryers with rotisserie functions are versatile, offering traditional air frying features as well as the ability to roast. You can also reheat rotisserie chicken in an air fryer, ensuring perfectly cooked results without drying out the chicken.

Tips for cooking the perfect rotisserie chicken

Yes, a rotisserie can be used as an air fryer. Here are some tips for cooking the perfect rotisserie chicken:

Truss the chicken

Trussing your chicken is optional but recommended as it ensures an evenly cooked, juicier bird. Tie up the legs with a piece of kitchen twine.

Baste the chicken

Basting is critical to keeping the skin moist. If you're cooking your chicken in an oven, baste the chicken every 15 minutes or so to prevent the skin from scorching.

Use a meat thermometer

A meat thermometer is the best way to ensure your chicken is cooked through. The chicken is done when the thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh, near the bone, reads 165°F (74°C).

Let the chicken rest

After removing the chicken from the heat source, let it rest for about 10 minutes before carving. This will allow the juices to redistribute and result in a juicier bird.

Preheat your cooking appliance

Whether you're using an air fryer, oven, or grill, make sure to preheat it to the appropriate temperature before adding the chicken. This will help ensure even cooking.

Follow the manufacturer's instructions

Each cooking appliance is different, so be sure to refer to the manufacturer's instructions for specific settings, temperatures, and cooking times.

How to cook a rotisserie chicken in an air fryer

Yes, you can cook rotisserie chicken in an air fryer. Here is a guide on how to do it:

Firstly, you will need to ensure you have an air fryer that is large enough to fit a whole chicken. Most chickens you buy in a store weigh around 4 to 6 pounds, so you will need an air fryer that is at least 6 quarts in size.

Next, you will need to prepare your chicken. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels and tuck the wings under. If you want, you can tie the legs of the chicken together with kitchen twine for a "prettier bird."

Then, you will need to make your seasoning. For a simple seasoning, you can mix together 1 tablespoon of sea salt, 2 teaspoons of ground paprika, 1 teaspoon each of onion powder, ground thyme, ground white pepper, and ground black pepper, and 0.5 teaspoons each of cayenne pepper and garlic powder. You can also add 0.5 teaspoons of dried basil, dried oregano, and dried thyme, as well as 2 tablespoons of avocado oil or another cooking oil.

Now, you can rub the chicken with the seasoning. Use a basting brush to coat the breast side of the chicken with half of the seasoning, then lift the chicken by its legs and place it in the air fryer basket, breast side down. Use the basting brush to coat the rest of the chicken with the seasoning.

It is recommended to remove the grate from the bottom of the air fryer, if possible, as this will allow for a bigger chicken and the breast will marinate in the juices as it cooks.

Once the chicken is in the air fryer, set the temperature to 350-360 degrees Fahrenheit and cook for 50 minutes. Then, flip the chicken so it is breast side up and cook for an additional 10 minutes.

Check the internal temperature of the chicken—it should be 165 degrees Fahrenheit in the thickest part of the chicken, usually the breast. If it has not reached this temperature, continue to cook until it does.

Finally, remove the chicken from the air fryer and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Your rotisserie chicken is now ready to be enjoyed!

Air fryer rotisserie chicken recipes

If you're looking for a juicy, flavourful, and easy-to-make rotisserie chicken recipe for your air fryer, look no further! Here are some detailed instructions and tips to help you cook the perfect rotisserie chicken in your air fryer.

Ingredients:

• 1 whole chicken (3-4 pounds)
• Olive oil or canola oil
• Spices (vary based on recipe)
• Butcher's twine (optional)

Instructions:

Start by preparing your chicken. Remove any giblets, and pat the chicken dry with paper towels. If desired, tie the legs of the chicken together with butcher's twine for a prettier presentation.

Next, make your spice rub by combining your chosen spices in a small bowl. For a basic spice blend, you can use sea salt, ground paprika, onion powder, ground thyme, ground white pepper, ground black pepper, cayenne pepper, and garlic powder. You can also add dried oregano, marjoram, rosemary, or red wine vinegar for extra flavour.

Spritz or rub the chicken with oil, then generously apply the spice rub all over the outside and inside of the chicken's cavity. You can also rub the spice mixture in two stages, before and after the first round of cooking.

Preheat your air fryer to 350-380 degrees Fahrenheit. Spritz or brush the bottom of the air fryer basket with oil to prevent sticking.

Place the chicken breast-side down in the basket and cook for 25-30 minutes. Then, carefully flip the chicken and cook for an additional 25-30 minutes, or until the juices run clear and the thigh is no longer pink when pierced near the joint.

Check the doneness of the chicken by inserting an instant-read thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh, away from the bone. The internal temperature should reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit when fully cooked.

Once done, remove the chicken from the air fryer and let it rest for about 10 minutes before carving and serving.

Tips:

• Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to adjust the cooking time accordingly.
• If you want the crispiest skin, consider trussing the chicken with butcher's twine before cooking.
• For extra flavour and moisture, try squeezing a lemon into the chicken's cavity before cooking.
• To prevent the wings and drumsticks from burning, wrap them loosely with aluminium foil.

With these recipes and tips, you'll be able to create delicious and juicy rotisserie chicken right in your air fryer!

Frequently asked questions